Celtic B picked up their first point of the Lowland League season as they were made to settle for a 1-1 draw against one of the league’s title favourites – East Kilbride.
Just under 300 fans made their way to Airdrieions Stadium to see the young Hoops in action as they played out a draw for the first time at their new home for the season.
Early in the game, Celtic had their first chance in an unusual style after East Kilbride goalkeeper Conor Brennan collected a back pass from his defender, giving the Hoops an indirect free-kick from just inside the area.
Although, Owen Moffat couldn’t take advantage as the charging EK defence pressured him.
Both sides struggled to create many clear cut chances, with the two having a couple of efforts from range, but the goalkeepers didn’t have too much to do in the opening 45 minutes.
Moffat is more of a familiar name to Celtic fans now; after his spell in the first-team in the last few weeks and just before the break, he continued his brilliant start to the season by scoring the opening goal of the game.
The winger played a tidy one-two with frontman Rocco Vata inside the area, which gave him time to smash home a half-volleyed effort under Brennan and give Tommy McIntyre’s side the lead.
In the second half, the two sides continued to push for that all-important second goal of the game as the Hoops looked to give themselves some breathing room in the game.
The defensive duo of Ewan Otoo and Bosun Lawal was very impressive once again, both on and off the ball, as well as the full-backs on either side of them – Brody Paterson and Benny-Jackson Luyeye.
Fans were also given a sighting of one of the latest recruits added to the Celtic youth system, as Joey Dawson, who signed from Scunthorpe last season, made his debut upfront.
Celtic were looking to kill off the game with 10 minutes of regular time left to play, as both Brody Paterson and Bruno Davidson linked up well down the left, with the full-back having an effort towards goal, but it was blocked off by the EK defence.
As the young Celtic side looked to have secured all three points from the game, the experienced East Kilbride side snatched a goal back in the dying seconds of the match.
Kilby striker Craig Malcolm chased down a long ball over the top of the Celtic defence. 18-year old Bosun Lawal looked to have the situation under control at first.
However, he appeared to have been caught in a tangle with Malcolm, who took advantage when the ball fell to him in the box, taking his time under the pressure of Hoops defenders racing back, slotting it past Ryan Mullen in goals.
It was a disappointing end to what was another decent showing for the Celts. McIntyre will be taking the positives out of that fixture and learning from the disappointment of conceding so late on in the game.
Next up for the B side is Stirling University, away from home on Wednesday night.
Starting 11: Mullen, Paterson, Otoo, Lawal, Jackson, Murphy, Carse (Deane 89′), Wylie, Moffat (Dawson 62′), Davidson, Vata
Subs: Morrison (GK), Robertson, Morrison, Letsosa, Deane, Dobbie, Dawson.
